“If you can provide any information which can assist the investigation, please contact police on the non-emergency number 101.”

The ‘Journal’ understands the UDA slogan was daubed on the wall of Drumachose Primary School, and also on walls in the area (pictured above).

Sinn Féin Councillor Brenda Chivers said: “The letters UDA have appeared at Drumachose school on the Alexander Road along with other associated terminology. This development is very worrying as we have seen the activity of this organisation increase this year in nearby towns with sometimes deadly effect.

“Graffiti along with paramilitary flags and emblems are being used to mark out territory throughout the North and this is a most unwelcome and needs to be tackled by those with leadership responsibilities in Loyalist areas.”

SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat said: “Past experience tells me whenever graffiti endorsing paramilitaries appears in neighbourhoods it can be reasonably assumed that it’s not unconnected with the organisation. Any graffiti or flags projecting the UDA should be removed immediately, and I welcome the fact the fact the police are treating this as a hate crime. It’s tantamount to Swastikas, and we all know the reaction to those in recent times.”